You might think you know your pet goldfish, but its origins and biology are stranger than you ever guessed

You might think you know your pet goldfish, but its origins and biology are stranger than you ever guessed

By Jason G. Goldman

Source: bbc

10/21/2014

Goldfish are a bit "meh", aren't they? They're not as popular a pet as cats or dogs, presumably due to the deplorable lack of cuddles. Really they just swim around, opening and closing their mouths, endlessly tormenting your cat with the promise of a tasty snack. That's about it.

But there is more to your fishy pet than meets the eye. Here are four things you probably didn't know about goldfish. Warning: may contain alcohol.

Goldfish were originally kept for meat

The goldfish didn't start out as a pet. It was dinner.

Modern goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) are a domesticated version of a wild carp from east Asia. Their wild ancestor was silver-grey. Known as "chi", it was at one time the most common fish eaten in China.

Goldfish

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